“As of the writing of this letter, we still do not know if there will be a season six of our show. Just as we didn’t know when we created the last three episodes which are about to air. Because of this uncertainty, John Rogers and I decided to end this season with the episode we had planned to make to end the series, way back when we shot the pilot. So, the episode that will air on Christmas is, in fact, the series finale we had always envisioned.”

Devlin also said that everyone involved with the show would return for a sixth season if given the opportunity.

“But, in case we do not get that opportunity we felt that, creatively, after 77 episodes, we owed it to you, our fans, to end the show properly,” he said.

TNT issued a statement announcing that the the network had pulled the plug on Leverage. The statement reads in part:

“After five wonderful years, it’s time to say goodbye. Leverage will come to a close on Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 9 p.m., with a series finale that stands as one of the show’s best episodes.

We are honored to have worked with executive producer Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment, creators John Rogers and Chris Downey, and all the cast and production crew on Leverage.”

In another letter, Devlin thanked TNT for allowing the show to run five seasons, and said he was “incredibly proud of the show and what we’ve accomplished.” He also thanked the cast, crew, and fans, and said that he was happy they were “able to film the series finale we had always envisioned and I’m happy we’re able to present it on Christmas as our gift to you. It’s a bittersweet goodbye.”

Earlier this year, TNT said goodbye to The Closer and welcomed its spin-off, Major Crimes. The show was renewed for a second season on September 15.

Leverage had been on the bubble for cancellation for its past few episodes, but kept getting renewals at the last minute. This time, however, that 11th hour never came.